The Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU) is fully owned by James Cook University Australia, ranked in the top two per cent of universities in the world, based on the 2019 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). James Cook University Australia established its Singapore campus in 2003 and it offers a suite of university level programs in Business, Information Technology, Psychology, Education, Accounting, Arts, Aquaculture, Environmental Science, Games Design, Tourism and Hospitality. Here are some of the reasons tertiary students choose to study at JCU.
Excellent commitment to learning experience
James Cook University is Australia’s leading university for the tropics and has three campuses in the tropical cities of Singapore, Cairns and Townsville. In 2016, JCU’s Singapore campus achieved ‘University’ status as part of the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership process – the only Australian institution in Singapore to be recognised in this way. Programs offered at the Singapore campus follow the same curriculum as the Australian campuses, ensuring the same high-quality program content. Students will graduate with exactly the same globally recognised degree as students who study at JCU in Australia. Additionally, the academic staff at the Singapore campus of JCU are experienced and highly qualified. All full-time lecturers are PhD qualified as a minimum, based in Singapore, and the majority are involved in research. Students can benefit from the valuable insight their lecturers gain from active participation in the field. At JCU, the internationalised teaching faculty make the real difference because they bring diverse perspectives from western countries and deep knowledge of Asia.
Staying relevant for the future
Technological evolution in business and society continues to accelerate; digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cashless societies, autonomous transportation, and delivery systems will all become ubiquitous. As a leader in research that addresses critical challenges facing societies and the environment in the tropics, it’s not enough for JCU to merely be an educational institution; it must contribute to the good of business and society. To ensure the university stays relevant, JCU listens closely to industry and business, and constantly explores ways to extend its research collaborations with industry partners. “Society is changing, and current generations of graduates may need to reinvent their professional profile several times during their working lives. It is JCU’s duty to deliver skills that are relevant to the future workforce needs of Singapore as, like many tropical locations, we adapt to the challenge of climate change, population shift, natural disasters and food security. JCU’s very existence is underpinned by the strategic intent of creating a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide through graduates and discoveries that make a difference. This is not a passing strand or a short-term project but defines our existence as an institution,” says Professor Chris Rudd OBE, JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Campus, Singapore.
Conducting research of excellence
At the Singapore campus of JCU, areas of research strength include aquaculture and marine science, business, education, psychology and tourism. Within these research strengths our highly qualified academics are delving into research interests as diverse as reef fish evolutionary ecology, selective breeding of aquaculture species, vandalism in tourism, machine learning, data mining, behavioural learning theories, social and cross-cultural psychology, healthy ageing, interpersonal attraction, suicidology and mental health interventions. For instance, JCU lends its expertise in aquaculture in support of Singapore’s 30 by 30 strategy (to produce 30 per cent of Singapore’s nutritional needs locally by 2030) and builds capabilities for food security locally. As a member of the Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC), JCU plans to play a big role in helping the AIC achieve its major objectives and to work closely with consortium partners in solving problems faced by Singapore’s aquaculture industry and provide the future skilled workforce required as the sector expands. Meanwhile, in line with this, the Singapore campus of JCU launched a new Aquaculture Research and Teaching Facility in July 2019.
Preparing career-ready graduates
JCU provides industry-oriented education to help graduates join the workforce successfully and prepare its graduates for the evolving workplace, matching its programs to employer needs and the evolving business landscape. Relevant professional associations and accreditation bodies in Australia and Singapore recognise JCU’s programs. The benchmarking of the programs against industry-best practices provides graduates with cutting-edge skills. “Higher learning institutions should impart to their students the right knowledge, skills and attitudes; transferable across a range of jobs addressing diverse industry needs. An educational journey should culminate in the graduate making a meaningful impact on the community — be it professional or social. JCU’s collaborative learning environment facilitates communication skills and teamwork. Our graduates are likely to be employees who are more productive,” says Professor Abhishek Singh Bhati, Campus Dean and Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Engagement.
To find out more about the programs offered at the Singapore campus of James Cook University, click here.
